Podcast Audio & Video Recording on a Bus 

Dallas Area Rapid Transit approached Cadence Studios with a unique challenge: capture multiple episodes of CEO Nadine Lee’s “Mobility in Motion” podcast during their annual Bus Roadeo—a qualifying competition for the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) International Bus Roadeo. Rather than setting up a traditional studio space at the busy event venue, our team proposed an innovative solution that aligned perfectly with DART’s mission: record the podcast inside one of the new buses entering the fleet. DART loved the concept, and we moved forward with a plan to deliver both professional audio for podcast distribution and video capture for social media and promotional use—allowing DART to consolidate vendors and streamline their event-day logistics.

The recording environment presented significant technical challenges that required creative problem-solving and adaptable equipment choices. Working inside a compact bus meant limiting our crew size while still capturing broadcast-quality audio and video. The ambient noise environment was complex—roadway traffic on one side, the Roadeo competition and crowd noise on the other, and the mechanical sounds of the bus itself creating constant background interference. To maintain video quality and reduce external noise intrusion, we kept the bus doors closed and air conditioning off during recordings, creating an uncomfortably warm environment for our team and DART’s guests throughout the day. Despite these constraints, our audio engineering and strategic microphone placement ensured clean, professional sound quality for every interview while our compact video setup captured engaging visual content without overwhelming the limited space.

Over the course of the event, we successfully recorded more than 15 podcast episodes—several hosted by CEO Nadine Lee herself, with others led by Joni Honor, DART’s SVP of Communication Strategy. Each episode required rapid turnaround between guests, technical adjustments for different voice types and interview styles, and maintaining consistent quality despite the challenging recording conditions. The dual audio-video capture approach gave DART maximum content flexibility—professionally edited podcast episodes for their audio distribution channels and engaging video clips for social media, website content, and promotional campaigns. By transforming a logistical challenge into a creative opportunity, we helped DART create compelling content that literally put their audience inside the transit experience while demonstrating the innovation and adaptability that defines both organizations.